iSport Freedom On-Ear Headphonesby Monster

Recommended, but seriously flawed. There are probably better alternatives.

70%

TECHWALLA SCORE

based on the following sites

80%

70%

70%

60%

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PROS

Battery life for these Bluetooth on-ear sports and fitness headphones amounts to an impressive 30 hours without recharging.

The package includes a USB-to-micro USB charging cable, along with a power cable for use if battery power does run out.

Controls for playback, answering calls, volume, and skipping tracks are conveniently located on the right ear cup, together with the power button.

CONS

The iSport is definitely on the pricey side.

You could experience some clamping after long hours of use, simply because of the on-ear design.

Although some folks love the sound signature, you might find the audio to be either overly heavy on bass or too shrill in the upper registers.

Aimed at active athletes, these on-ear headphones from Monster combine an eye-catching design with toughness, comfort, and innovative safety aspects. The headband and earpads are made of a soft and sweat-resistant rubberized material that's antimicrobial and reflective. These headphones come in two color schemes. With their neon green accents, the black-and-green edition stands out visually even if you're running down the road on a dark night. There is also a more sedate all-black version. Experts' opinions vary widely as to sound quality, so it's best to try out these cans yourself.

The anti-microbial silicon underbelly of the headband and earcups is colored a green so bright it's practically radioactive. But that's not …

The anti-microbial silicon underbelly of the headband and earcups is colored a green so bright it's practically radioactive. But that's not a bad thing, particularly for joggers who run in heavy traffic areas or at night. Not only is the material bright, it's also reflective and weatherproof.

The Freedoms are made largely from plastic and rubber to keep the overall weight down and prevent them from feeling heavy or bulky to wear. …

The Freedoms are made largely from plastic and rubber to keep the overall weight down and prevent them from feeling heavy or bulky to wear. The headband interior is made from a softer, squishy, rubber that sits secure and snug on the top of the head. The slim, black antimicrobial ear cushions also get the rubbery treatment with car tyre-like grooves and sets of holes to help ventilation when things get hot and sweaty.

We tested the Freedom using both our iPhone 5, as well as our aptX-enabled MacBook over a large array of musical genres. While the sound was…

We tested the Freedom using both our iPhone 5, as well as our aptX-enabled MacBook over a large array of musical genres. While the sound was slightly warmer and fuller via the MacBook, the headphones delivered a similar sound signature across both devices, offering a wide stereo field with a firm and powerful low end, and a clear, accessible upper register. Though the Freedom didn’t offer the definition or presence we expect from an elite wired headset, the sound was accurate and precise, if not a bit clinical at times.

Exercise buffs will enjoy the iSport Freedom, which is built to withstand a tough workout. Audiophiles should steer clear, however—this is o…

Exercise buffs will enjoy the iSport Freedom, which is built to withstand a tough workout. Audiophiles should steer clear, however—this is one of the more wildly sculpted, bass-boosted sound signatures we've heard in this price range, and the results are not always positive. The price seems high for exercise headphones, and especially a pair that provides such a lopsided audio experience.

Anyone interested in combining music with the great outdoors should look no further than the Monster iSport Freedom headphones, which mean e…

Anyone interested in combining music with the great outdoors should look no further than the Monster iSport Freedom headphones, which mean even the most adventurous music fans can do whatever they want, wherever they want, while listening to their favourite beats, whether that's cycling in a downpour or running in a tornado. Well, perhaps not that extreme, but they are very durable and during our testing they withstood everything that we could throw at them.

If you want wireless sport headphones the choice quickly becomes limited. And if you want wireless, on-ear headphones options are few. Fortu…

If you want wireless sport headphones the choice quickly becomes limited. And if you want wireless, on-ear headphones options are few. Fortunately, Monster’s iSport Freedom on-ear Bluetooth headphones are good enough that you won’t want to go hunting for other options.

Finding the right headphones for the gym seems impossible. The Monster iSport Freedoms might just be the perfect sports headphones. Freedoms…

Finding the right headphones for the gym seems impossible. The Monster iSport Freedoms might just be the perfect sports headphones. Freedoms are on-ear Bluetooth headphones, there’s no cable to get in your way and you don’t have to worry about earbuds falling out of your ear.